Midwest Destination:
Chicagoland Skydiving Center
Hinckley, DeKalb County, Illinois

Jackie, April, Amber and Jolene pose for a quick picture before boarding the plane at Chicagoland Skydiving. July 20, 2002

"There is a reason why the birds sing -- it's because they can fly!!!" The perfect day for skydiving!!! Saturday, July 20th was the perfect day for skydiving. It was sunny and expected to reach a high of 95 degrees. The party of fourteen arrived at Chicagoland Skydiving at 10:00AM. Six of the group intended to skydive and the others were there for moral support, to take pictures and cheer them on.

Skydiving for a first timer can be frightening and tension-filled. It helps to know that the jump is made in tandem - in other words you jump with an experienced skydiving instructor attached to your back. You take a 20 minute class that explains what you will experience and what you are expected to do while freefalling and when the parachute opens. The explanation is necessary and welcome but in the midst of jumping out of the plane [at 14,000 feet] and falling toward the earth, some tend to forget for a few seconds what they were instructed to do. The instructor is there to remind you to pull the ripcord. And in the event you cannot accomplish this task, your instructor will pull it for you so there is no need to fear your chute will not be opened in time.

Skydiving allows you to experience the thrill and fun of flight. It has evolved into a safe and accessible sport and no longer carries the stygma of risk as it has in the past. For many adventure seekers, skydiving has become the extreme sport of choice. It is good clean fun with a big dose of adrenaline!

Tandem skydiving is quite costly. And if you want a video and pictures [and who wouldn't?] it is a additional expense. There is a discount for group rates so go with a group for the best pricing. Plan on spending 3-4 hours at the center, more if they are unusually busy or the weather is unstable.

For more pictures of Jolene's first skydiving experience check here.

Have fun in your own backyard!
Connie Eccles
CEO of ComPortOne